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    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,019, Reputation: 157
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    #1

    Feb 25, 2015, 06:52 PM
    Ground Cover Question
    Have a fairly steep bank in Mississippi that is presently pretty bare and needs a ground cover. Full sun situation. Someone has suggested Trailing Indigo. Any other ideas?
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
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    #2

    Feb 25, 2015, 06:59 PM
    Periwinkle is pretty and grows/covers fast. Why not add some flagstones for variety? How steep is this slope? Build a stairway?
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,019, Reputation: 157
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    #3

    Feb 25, 2015, 07:39 PM
    Periwinkle sounds like a good idea. Thanks!
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    Catsmine Posts: 3,826, Reputation: 739
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    #4

    Feb 26, 2015, 04:13 AM
    This time of year you can always look at clover. Getting it started takes work, but it will keep weeds out.
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    tickle Posts: 23,796, Reputation: 2674
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    #5

    Feb 26, 2015, 05:18 AM
    I would go with periwinkle. Have lots here on pathways, on slopes. It can be trod on without damage. Is fast growing because it hasn't got much of a deep root system. I would add a small terrace for rock garden effect.
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    jlisenbe Posts: 5,019, Reputation: 157
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    #6

    Mar 2, 2015, 06:09 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by tickle View Post
    I would go with periwinkle. Have lots here on pathways, on slopes. It can be trod on without damage. Is fast growing because it hasn't got much of a deep root system. I would add a small terrace for rock garden effect.
    Tickle, can it handle what is mainly full sun?
    joypulv's Avatar
    joypulv Posts: 21,591, Reputation: 2941
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    #7

    Mar 2, 2015, 09:30 AM
    It prefers shade but can handle sun and poor soil and drought. It can even be planted 8' apart and it will fill in.
    Once established, you can't get rid of it or keep it from spreading very easily.
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,019, Reputation: 157
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    #8

    Mar 2, 2015, 02:25 PM
    The only issue that concerns me with PW is the full sun deal. What do you think about creeping phlox?
    tickle's Avatar
    tickle Posts: 23,796, Reputation: 2674
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    #9

    Mar 2, 2015, 04:44 PM
    Creeping flox is not as versatile as PW. Joy is correct in her determination. I cultivate PW anywhere in my garden. Not many ground cover plants will tolerate pine trees or full sun, PW does.

    It is even evident through the winter ! That is why it is called evergreen, a very vibrant plant.
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    jlisenbe Posts: 5,019, Reputation: 157
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    #10

    Mar 15, 2015, 06:27 PM
    End result: I planted both periwinkle and jasmine. Let them compete this summer and see which side does better. Thanks for all the help.
    tickle's Avatar
    tickle Posts: 23,796, Reputation: 2674
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    #11

    Mar 16, 2015, 02:34 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by jlisenbe View Post
    End result: I planted both periwinkle and jasmine. Let them compete this summer and see which side does better. Thanks for all the help.
    Excellent idea ! Let us know.
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    jlisenbe Posts: 5,019, Reputation: 157
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    #12

    Mar 17, 2015, 08:21 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by tickle View Post
    Excellent idea ! Let us know.
    Will do!
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,019, Reputation: 157
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    #13

    May 3, 2015, 12:54 PM
    So far, the jasmine is doing really well. Periwinkle is also doing well, but the jasmine is winning so far. I'll post a pic later on.
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    jlisenbe Posts: 5,019, Reputation: 157
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    #14

    Aug 25, 2015, 02:41 PM
    The jasmine ended up the clear winner. It grew very well even though the ground is poor and it was sometimes dry. The periwinkle did OK for a while but some dry weather finally got it.
    tickle's Avatar
    tickle Posts: 23,796, Reputation: 2674
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    #15

    Aug 25, 2015, 03:49 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by jlisenbe View Post
    The jasmine ended up the clear winner. It grew very well even though the ground is poor and it was sometimes dry. The periwinkle did OK for a while but some dry weather finally got it.
    That is totally surprising about the periwinkle. Mine only see water when it rains! I mow it down, and it comes right back.

    Thanks for coming back and letting us know !
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    jlisenbe Posts: 5,019, Reputation: 157
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    #16

    Jun 11, 2016, 01:22 PM
    Thought I'd give the result after a year. Periwinkle is all dead. The jasmine is doing fairly well, but it will be a while before we get good ground cover with that. Also trying some monkey grass at one spot and so far, so good. Not too sure how it will do in full sun, but worth a try.
    tickle's Avatar
    tickle Posts: 23,796, Reputation: 2674
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    #17

    Jun 11, 2016, 03:04 PM
    Surprised periwinkle is dead. Did u ever water it !
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,019, Reputation: 157
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    #18

    Jun 12, 2016, 01:11 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by tickle View Post
    Surprised periwinkle is dead. Did u ever water it !
    Watered it some but not a whole lot. It is fairly poor soil.
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    tickle Posts: 23,796, Reputation: 2674
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    #19

    Jun 13, 2016, 05:22 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by jlisenbe View Post
    Watered it some but not a whole lot. It is fairly poor soil.
    Periwinkle seems to thrive under very severe conditions that other plants cant. That is the point of this particular plant. It is so hardy that you can just yank a piece of it out the earth and stick it in somewhere else and it will always grow!
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,019, Reputation: 157
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    #20

    Jun 17, 2016, 02:03 PM
    Well, it didn't work for me, but this is in a fairly bad spot. Might try it again. We'll see. Thanks for your input.

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